Dear Parents, Guardians and Students:
We wish to inform you of the legal rights you have relating to certain programs and activities as required by (Education Code 48980).One of the adopted goals of the Geyserville Unified School District is to assist in advancing the use of technology to enhance student learning. Access to Geyserville Unified School District technology is a privilege, not a right, and students enrolled in District programs or activities must follow District guidelines and procedures regarding acceptable use of technology. All Geyserville Unified School District students and their parents/guardians shall sign the Acceptable Use of Technology Agreement prior to using District technological resources. The Geyserville Unified School District shall make a diligent effort to filter the inappropriate or harmful matter accessible through the Internet, and students shall also take responsibility not to initiate access to inappropriate or harmful matter while using District technology. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action and the loss of the privilege to use the technology and/or civil or criminal liability.
Compulsory Education: Compulsory Education law states that students must enroll in school in the school district in which the residence of either the parent or legal guardian is located. If a parent is seeking a change in a public district outside of the resident district, then an interdistrict permit is required.
Excused Absences:
(B) Any absences beyond three days for the reasons described in subparagraph (A) shall be subject to the discretion of the school administrator, or their designee, pursuant to Section 48260.
For purposes of this section, attendance at religious retreats shall not exceed one schoolday per semester. Absences pursuant to this section are deemed to be absences in computing average daily attendance and shall not generate state apportionment payments.
Residency: A pupil may alternatively comply with the residency requirements for school attendance in a school district, if he or she is any of the following: placed in a foster home or licensed children’s institution within the boundaries of the school district pursuant to a commitment of placement under the Welfare and Institutions Code; a pupil who is a placed in foster care remains in his or her school of origin; an emancipated pupil who resides within the boundaries of the school district; a pupil who lives in the home of a caregiving adult that is located within the boundaries of the school district; a pupil residing in a state hospital located within the boundaries of the school district; or a pupil whose parent is transferred or is pending transfer to a military installation within the state while on active military duty pursuant to an official military order. Students in military and migrant families may remain in their school of origin and shall have waived residency restrictions due to the frequency of movement of their families. Connect with the enrollment office at Geyserville Unified School District Student Support Services for more information on the protections afforded these students per California laws.
Interdistrict Transfers: An interdistrict agreement is signed by both the releasing and accepting districts. When denied, there are appeal processes according to the local district policies. The education rights holder may appeal to their County Office of Education for an appeal process within 30 days of a final denial from either district.
The parent or legal guardian of a pupil may seek release from the school district of residence to attend a school in any other school district. School districts may enter into agreements for the interdistrict transfer of one or more pupils for a period of up to five years. The agreement must specify the terms and conditions for granting or denying transfers and may contain standards of reapplication and specify the terms and conditions under which a permit may be revoked. Unless otherwise specified in the agreement, a pupil will not have to reapply for an interdistrict transfer, and the school board of the district of enrollment must allow the pupil to continue to attend the school in which he/she is enrolled. A student who has completed grade 10 by June 30, may remain enrolled within the district of enrollment through grades 11 and 12 without any revocation from the desired district, and must be treated the same as any other resident student. Regardless of whether an agreement exists, or a permit is issued, the school district of residence cannot prohibit the transfer of a pupil who is a child of an active military duty parent to a school district of proposed enrollment if that district approves the application for transfer. Nor may a district prohibit an interdistrict permit release when no intradistrict permit options are available to a victim of bullying. A “victim of an act of bullying” means a pupil that has been determined to have been a victim of bullying by an investigation pursuant to the complaint process described in Section 234.1 and the bullying was committed by any pupil in the school district of residence, and the parent of the pupil has filed a written complaint regarding the bullying with the school, school district personnel, or a local law enforcement agency. “Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal communication made in writing or by means of an electronic act directed toward one or more pupils that results in placing a reasonable person in fear of harm to self or property. It may cause a substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health, interfere with academic performance or the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school, and may be done in person or online. Bullying may be exhibited in the creation or transmission of bullying online, on or off the school site, by telephone or other device in a message, text, sound, video, or image in a post on a social network internet website or burn page that creates a credible impersonation of another student knowingly and without consent for the purpose of bullying. Sharing or forwarding messages contributes to the act of bullying.
A student who is appealing a decision for an interdistrict permit approval through the County Office of Education may be eligible for provisional admission to the desired district in grades TK through 12, while continuing through the process of appeal, if space is made available by the desired district, not to exceed two months.
A pupil who has been determined by personnel of either the school district of residence or the district of proposed enrollment to have been the victim of an act of bullying, as defined in EC 48900(r), shall, at the request of the parent or legal guardian, be given priority for interdistrict attendance under any existing agreement or, in the absence of an agreement, be given additional consideration for the creation of an interdistrict attendance agreement.
Interdistrict permits shall not be denied for release from district of residence but may require the same entrance requirements from desired districts. For active military families, pending transfer orders, may have ten days to produce documents after the family has relocated. Once orders are in writing, they may be forwarded to the intended resident district or charter to start the enrollment process and avoid delays. Coursework and graduation requirements are exempted for children of active military.
Each school district shall post their interdistrict policy agreements on their district and/or school websites. Reasons for approval and denial of interdistrict transfer requests must be updated on the district website according to board policies.
Intradistrict: Residents of the school district may apply to other schools that serve the same grade levels within the district. Please contact student support services for the application process. No pupil who currently resides in the attendance area of a school can be displaced by pupils transferring from outside the attendance area. Students who are a victim of bullying shall be allowed an intradistrict permit to transfer if space is available at the same grade level. If there is no “intra-district” space to attend, the student may seek an “inter-district” permit to another district without any delay in release from the home district, but it does not guarantee entrance to an outside district. The process to enter another school district will be according to the desired district’s transfer policies. A “victim of an act of bullying” means a pupil that has been determined to have been a victim of bullying by an investigation pursuant to the complaint process described in Section 234.1 and the bullying was committed by any pupil in the school district of residence, and the parent of the pupil has filed a written complaint regarding the bullying with the school, school district personnel, or a local law enforcement agency. “Bullying” means any severe or pervasive physical or verbal communication made in writing or by means of an electronic act directed toward one or more pupils that results in placing a reasonable person in fear of harm to self or property. It may cause a substantially detrimental effect on physical or mental health, interfere with academic performance or the ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or privileges provided by a school, and may be done in person or online. Bullying may be exhibited in the creation or transmission of bullying online, on or off the school site, by telephone or other device in a message, text, sound, video, or image in a post on a social network internet website or burn page that creates a credible impersonation of another student knowingly and without consent for the purpose of bullying. Sharing or forwarding messages contributes to the act of bullying.
Some school districts may choose to accept employment in lieu of residency. A school district may opt to allow a student to have complied with the residency requirements for school attendance in the district if at least one parent/guardian of the pupil is physically employed within the boundaries of that district for a minimum of ten hours during the school week. Once admitted to residency, the pupil’s transfer may be revoked only if the parent ceases to be employed within the boundaries of the district. As a resident, the student does not have to re-apply for the transfer to be valid.
Each school must annually compile a prospectus of the curriculum to include titles, descriptions and instructional goals for every course offered by the school. Please contact (626) 307-3421 for a copy of the prospectus.
Geyserville Unified School District urges parents to make sure their children attend school regularly and to schedule medical, dental, counseling, and other appointments after school, on the weekend if possible or during school holidays. The district also asks that travel or other absences be avoided during the time that school is in session. The higher the district’s daily attendance rate, the more a student will learn and the greater the amount of classroom instruction and academic programs. The school calendar is designed to minimize issues for families who plan vacations around traditional holiday periods, and thereby minimize student absences.
Following an absence, a parent must notify the site secretary of their school to clear the absence. Illnesses, and doctor and dental appointments are considered excused absences. Absences without a written or verbal excuse are recorded as unexcused.
Children should be encouraged to be prompt as part of developing good habits. They are expected to be at school on time. If a child is late, the child should bring a note from home to the school office. A student will be classified as truant if they are tardy or absent for more than a 30-minute period during the school day without a valid excuse on three occasions in one school year.
A student is considered truant after three absences or three tardies of more than 30 minutes each time or any combination thereof and the absences or tardies are unexcused. After a student has been reported as a truant three or more times in a school year and the district has made a conscientious effort to meet with the family, the student is considered a habitual truant. A student who is absent from school without a valid excuse for 10% or more of the schooldays in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date, is considered a chronic truant. Unexcused absences are all absences that do not fall within EC 48205.
The school attendance supervisor, administrator or designee, a peace officer, or probation officer may arrest or assume temporary custody during school hours of any minor who is found away from his/her home and who is absent from school without valid excuse within the county, city, or school district. A student who is a habitual truant may be referred to a School Attendance and Review Board (SARB).
Any student who is identified as “Truant” may be assigned as a ward of the court, if the available community resources do not resolve the students’ continued problem of truancy, by a Probation Officer or Deputy District Attorney.
A student is considered a chronic absentee when he/she is absent on 10% or more of the school days in one school year, from the date of enrollment to the current date. Chronic absenteeism includes all absences – excused, unexcused and suspensions – and is an important measure because excessive absences negatively impact academic achievement and student engagement.
An after school option is available through the Boys and Girls Club from school dismassal to 6:00 PM on school days. Students enrolled in Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to register by clicking the "Join the Club" button on the link above.
The California Healthy Youth Act requires school districts to provide pupils with integrated, comprehensive, accurate, and unbiased sexual health and HIV prevention education at least once in middle school and once in high school. It is intended to ensure that pupils in grades 7-12 are provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to:
Parents or legal guardians have the right to:
The district may administer to pupils in grades 7 through 12 anonymous, voluntary, and confidential research and evaluation tools to measure pupils’ health behavior and risks, including tests, questionnaires, and surveys, containing age-appropriate questions about their attitudes or practices relating to sex. Parents or legal guardians will be notified in writing about the administration of, the right to review, and the right to excuse their child from any test, questionnaire, or survey.
For the safety of our students, staff and visitors, the School District may employ camera surveillance equipment for security purposes. This equipment may or may not be monitored at any time.
Surveillance cameras will generally be utilized only in public areas where there is no “reasonable expectation of privacy.” Public areas may include school buses; building entrances; hallways; parking lots; front offices where students, employees, and parents come and go; gymnasiums during public activities; cafeterias; and supply rooms. However, it is not possible for surveillance cameras to cover all public areas of District buildings or all District activities.
District surveillance cameras will not be installed in “private” areas, such as restrooms, locker rooms, changing areas, private offices (unless consent by the office owner is given), or classrooms.
Beginning in grade 7, school personnel shall assist pupils with course selection or career counseling, exploring the possibility of careers, or courses leading to careers based on the interest and ability of the pupil and not on the pupil’s gender.
The District is committed to protecting all students in its care. All employees of the District are considered mandated reporters and are required by law to report cases of child abuse and neglect whenever there is reasonable suspicion abuse or neglect has occurred. District employees may not investigate to confirm a suspicion.
All complaints must be filed through a formal report, over the telephone, in person, or in writing, with an appropriate local law enforcement agency (i.e., Police or Sheriff’s Department, County Probation Department, or County Welfare Department/County Child Protective Services). Both the name of the person filing the complaint and the report itself are confidential and cannot be disclosed, except to authorized agencies.
Parents and guardians of students also have a right to file a complaint against a school employee or other person that they suspect has engaged in abuse of a child at a school site. Complaints may be filed with the local law enforcement agency.
Child abuse does not include an injury caused by any force that is reasonable and necessary for a person employed by or engaged in a school:
Under state law, each public school system is responsible for finding children with disabilities in its area. Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) - Each public school system is responsible for ensuring that each child with disabilities is served appropriately, at no expense to the parent in the least restrictive environment.
Any person who willfully disturbs any public school or any public-school meeting is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).
It is unlawful for any person, except a parent/guardian acting toward his/her minor child, to intentionally or to attempt to injure, intimidate, interfere by force, threat of force, physical obstruction, or nonviolent physical obstruction with any person attempting to enter or exit any public or private school grounds.
School authorities may excuse any pupil in grades 7-12 from the school for the purpose of obtaining confidential medical services without the consent of the pupil's parent or guardians.
School linked service coordinators will have access to health care information, which complies with federal health insurance requirements. The coordinator must be credentialed and serve with confidentiality requirements per licensed school nurses, marriage and family therapists, educational psychologists, and clinical counselors.
Custody disputes must be handled by the courts. The school has no legal jurisdiction to refuse a biological parent access to his/her child and/or school records. The only exception is when signed restraining orders or proper divorce papers, specifically stating visitation limitations, are on file in the school office. Any student release situation, which leaves the student’s welfare in question will be handled at the discretion of the site administrator or designee. Should any such situation become a disruption to the school, law enforcement will be contacted, and an officer requested to intervene. Parents are asked to make every attempt not to involve school sites in custody matters. The school will make every attempt to reach the custodial parent when a parent or any other person not listed on the emergency card attempts to pick up a child.
Often, students like to bring objects, such as a collector’s item, to school to show their friends. Examples of these objects include, but are not limited to, laser pointers, mini baseball bats, martial arts weapons (e.g., nunchaku, throwing stars), or any other sharp, pointy objects. Students should refrain from bringing objects that have the potential to inflict serious bodily injury to others.
“Directory Information” includes one or more of the following items: student’s name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent public or private school attended by the student.
Natural and human-caused disasters affect everyone, which is why it is important to be prepared at home, at school, at work, and in the community. Parents and guardians are encouraged to review the safety educational materials provided on the California Department of Education Web page at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/cp/pupilsafetyeducmat.asp.
The materials are available in multiple languages and can be used to help families prepare for different types of emergencies and crises.
Students may be photographed by staff, families, and friends at public or educational events (i.e. field trips). These photos could be used in printed mediums like the school yearbook or a local newspaper, as well as on the district website, Geyserville Educational Foundation website, ParentSquare, and on official social media to promote the school and share with our community.
The district is authorized to adopt a reasonable dress code. In order to provide age appropriate guidelines, you will find the dress code for GES and GNTA in their student handbooks.
Pupils shall conform to school regulations, obey all directions, be diligent in study and respectful to teachers and others in authority, and refrain from the use of profane and vulgar language.
Neurodivercity:recognizes that people learn, think, and experience the world in different ways. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning differences. Neurodiversity emphasizes strengths, inclusion, and respect for all learners.
The linked resources will provide a framework for the following:
A tool kit to start these conversations are available at Standing Together and Statewide Resources for Bullying Prevention and Response for TK-12 Neurodiverse Students (SB 939).
In addition to parental notification requirements for an involuntary transfer to a continuation school, suspension, or expulsion, notification must be made to the foster child's attorney and social worker, and, for the child's tribal social worker, if applicable, and county social worker. The attorney and social worker have the same rights as parents during these processes, such as requests for meetings and the ability to inspect all documents.
Identity for pupils who seek to participate in state or national conferences, therefore, furthering California’s goal of providing an equal educational opportunity to all students by prohibiting the use of public resources when a program discriminates based on gender.
The Equity in Higher Education Act states that all persons, regardless of their disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, immigration status have equal educational rights and opportunities including financial aid for higher education to also be equitable, and an application may not be denied of a student based on their immigration status.
The Geyserville Unified School District prohibits the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), such as e-cigarettes, hookah pens, cigarillos, and other vapor-emitting devices, with or without nicotine content, which mimic the use of tobacco products on all district property and in district vehicles at all times. ENDS are often made to look like cigarettes, cigars and pipes, but can also be made to look like everyday items, such as pens, asthma inhalers and beverage containers. These devices are not limited to vaporizing nicotine; they can be used to vaporize other drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, and heroin.
Students using, in possession of, or offering, arranging or negotiating to sell ENDS can be subject to disciplinary action, particularly because ENDS are considered drug paraphernalia, as defined by 11014.5 of the Health and Safety Code. Section 308 of the Penal Code also states that every person under 18 years of age who purchases, receives, or possesses any tobacco, cigarette, or cigarette papers, or any other preparation of tobacco, or any other instrument or paraphernalia that is designed for the smoking of tobacco, tobacco products, or any controlled substance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of seventy-five dollars ($75) or 30 hours of community service work.
EC 49414 requires school districts to provide epinephrine auto-injectors to school nurses and trained personnel and authorizes them to use epinephrine auto-injectors for any student who may be experiencing anaphylaxis, regardless of known history. Emergency epinephrine auto-injectors must be stored in an accessible location along with a copy of written training material upon need for emergency use. Notice of location must be publicly posted.
Anaphylaxis is a severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur after encountering an allergic trigger, such as food, medicine, an insect bite, latex, or exercise. Symptoms may include narrowing of the airways, rashes or hives, nausea, or vomiting. a weak pulse and dizziness. It is estimated that approximately 25% of the anaphylactic reactions occur during school hours in students who had not previously been diagnosed with a food or other allergy. Without immediate administration of epinephrine followed by calling emergency medical services, death can occur. Being able to recognize and treat it quickly can save lives.
State law requires that parents of English learners are to be notified annually if they are identified as one of the following: Long-term English Learner or English learner at risk of becoming a Long-term English Learner. The school coordinator for English Language Development will be sending these notices at the beginning of each school year.
State law requires that the parent or legal guardian of each pupil provide the school, within 90 days after entrance to first grade documentary, proof that the pupil has received a health screening examination by a doctor within the prior 18 months. Pupils may be excluded up to 5 days from school for failing to comply or not providing a waiver. Free health screening is available for eligible students through the Child Health Disabilities Prevention Program.
Notwithstanding Section 48200, a pupil shall be excused from school when the absence is:
All certificated (teachers/administrators) and classified (staff) employees, as well as private contractors and vendors who have direct contact with students. Fingerprints are typically captured via the electronic Live Scan method. These are submitted to state departments of justice (like the DOJ in California) and the FBI. No individual can begin working in a position with student contact—or have unsupervised access to students—until the background check is fully cleared. State laws strictly prohibit the hiring or retention of anyone convicted of serious or violent felonies. If an employee is arrested or convicted after their initial clearance, the Department of Justice will automatically notify the employing educational agency.
Commencing in SY 2022–23, Education Code (EC) 49501.5 requires public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools serving students in grades TK–12 to provide two meals free of charge (breakfast and lunch) during each school day to students requesting a meal, regardless of their free-or reduced-price meal eligibility. Charter Schools and Districts will still require eligible parents to submit an application in order to remain in compliance for accounting purposes only. Schools serving grades 1-6 will serve breakfast or a morning snack to non-school-aged children with a guardian present.
California prohibits any person from possessing a firearm on, or within 1,000 feet from, the grounds of a public or private school, unless it is with the written permission of [title of the school official]. This does not apply to law enforcement officers, any active or honorably retired peace officers, members of the military forces of California or the United States, or armored vehicle guards engaged in the performance of, or acting in the scope of, their duties. A person may also be in possession of a firearm on school grounds if the firearm is unloaded and in a locked container or within the locked trunk of a motor vehicle. A violation of this law is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for up to six months, a fine of up to $1,000, or both imprisonment and fine.
This is a reminder that firearms are to be safely stored away from children and teens. The accidental shooting of children and youth is the third leading cause of death, following accidents and suicide. California public schools are mandated to remind families to keep their home safe from such potential dangers. If there is a threat or perceived threat, then the public schools will cooperate with local law enforcement to conduct an immediate threat assessment.
Any pupil with a moral objection to dissecting or otherwise harming or destroying an animal, or any part thereof, must inform his or her teacher of the objection. Objections must be substantiated by a note from the pupil’s parent or guardian.
A pupil who chooses to refrain from participation in an education project involving the harmful or destructive use of an animal may receive an alternative education project, if the teacher believes that an adequate alternative education project is possible. The teacher may work with the pupil to develop and agree upon an alternative education project so that the pupil may obtain the knowledge, information, or experience required by the course of study in question.
Your child and family may be eligible for free or low-cost health coverage. For information about health care coverage options and enrollment assistance, go to: www.CoveredCA.com. Additionally, California law allows all low-income children under 19 years old, regardless of immigration status, to enroll in Medi-Cal at any time in the year. Families can apply in person at their local county human services office, over the phone, online, with a mail-in application, or at a local health center. For more information about Medi-Cal enrollment, visit www.health4allkids.org.
Students must be immunized against certain communicable diseases. Students are prohibited from attending school unless immunization requirements are met for age and grade. The school district shall cooperate with local health officials in measures necessary for the prevention and control of communicable diseases in school age children. The district may use any funds, property, or personnel and may permit any person licensed as a physician or registered nurse to administer an immunizing agent to any student whose parents have consented in writing.
Beginning January 1, 2016, parents of students in any school will no longer be allowed to submit a personal beliefs exemption to a currently required vaccine. A personal beliefs exemption on file at school prior to January 1, 2016, will continue to be valid until the student enters the next grade span at kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) or 7th grade.
Students are not required to have immunizations if they attend a home-based private school or an independent study program and do not receive classroom-based instruction. However, parents must continue to provide immunizations records for these students to their schools. The immunization requirements do not prohibit students from accessing special education and related services required by their individualized education programs.
A student not fully immunized may be temporarily excluded from a school or other institution when that child has been exposed to a specified disease and whose documentary proof of immunization status does not show proof of immunization against one of the communicable diseases described above.
State law requires the following immunizations before a child may attend school:
Free- or low-cost immunizations for children are available. Please call (626) 307-3427 for information.
Information about a medical exemption from immunizations for your student is available at CAIR ME. For more information on medical exemptions, please visit the following website: https://cair.cdph.ca.gov/exemptions/home.
The Geyserville Unified School District believes in the health and safety of every student. Pupils in the state are advised to adhere to current immunization guidelines, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians, regarding full human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization before admission or advancement to the eighth grade level of any private or public elementary or secondary school. Per HSC 120336, “HPV vaccination can prevent over 90 percent of cancers caused by HPV".
Independent Study (IS) is by choice and may not be mandated. Each district and charter school that chooses to offer IS must have policies for independent study courses or curriculum equivalent time to complete work expectations equal to what is offered in person. In addition, the short-term (less than 15 school days) and long-term (15 or more school days) will require the IS engagement defined per the policies adopted by the local governing board. The IS agreement must be signed within 10 days of the start of short-term IS or prior to beginning long-term IS. IS agreements must be updated to include equitable access to students with disabilities based upon individual student needs.
GUSD has taken proactive measures to ensure the safety of our students while using the internet. These measures include but are not limited to, filtering software and websites. GNTA Students sign an Acceptable Use Agreement before receiving their chromebooks.
A school administrator may recommend an involuntary transfer of a student if convicted of a violent crime and the victim attends the same school. Parents must be notified in writing and have the right to a meeting with the administration. The school will first attempt to resolve any conflict prior to transferring. Periodic reviews will be considered for returning to the school site if there is no on-going danger to either student or others on campus. The school board makes the final decision.
Teaching staff shall hold pupils to strict account for their conduct on the way to and from school, on the playgrounds, or during recess.
The School District may provide or make available medical or hospital service through nonprofit membership corporations, defraying the cost of medical or hospital service, or through group, blanket or individual policies of accident insurance or through policies of liability insurance for injuries to pupils arising out of accidents related to school activity or attendance. No pupil is required to accept such service without the consent of his/her parent or legal guardian.
Students or parents or guardians may refuse to permit record sharing. Notification may be provided by ordinary mail and must include reasonable means for refusal, such as return form or contact telephone number.
The parent or legal guardian of any pupil taking medication on a regular basis must inform the school nurse or administrator of the medication being taken, the current dosage, and the name of the supervising physician. With the consent of the parent or legal guardian, the school nurse may communicate with the physician and may counsel with school personnel regarding the possible effects of the medication on the pupil.
Any pupil who is required to take, during the regular school day, medication prescribed by a physician may be assisted by the school nurse or other designated school personnel if the school district receives both a written statement of instructions from the physician detailing the method, amount and time schedules by which such medication is to be taken requesting the school nurse to assist the pupil with prescribed medication as set forth in the physician statement. Student may carry and self-administer auto-injectable epinephrine or inhaled asthma medication if the school district receives both a written statement of instructions from the physician detailing the method, amount and time schedules by which such medication is to be taken and a written statement from the parent or guardian requesting that the student self-administer. All requests are to be approved by the school nurse prior to use.
Information about registered sex offenders in California can be found on the California Department of Justice's website. The website also provides information on how to protect yourself and your family, facts about sex offenders, frequently asked questions, and sex offender registration requirements in California.
A minor who is 12 years of age or older may consent to mental health treatment or counseling services if the minor is mature enough to participate intelligently in the outpatient services or counseling services. The professional person treating or counseling the minor is required to consult with the minor before determining whether involvement of the minor’s parent or guardian would be inappropriate. These service providers can bill Medi-Cal as appropriate.
A student identified as a migratory youth who transfers between schools any time after the completion of the pupil’s second year of high school or as a newcomer student and is enrolled in what should have been his or her third or fourth year of high school may be eligible to graduate under the state reduced graduation requirements if certain criteria are met. Qualifying students may be able to graduate with their four-year cohort with the state reduced graduation requirements of 130 credits or have the option to remain for a fifth year in order to graduate with the state or the full LEA graduation requirements. A student who graduates with the reduced requirements will have limited access to higher education and other post-secondary opportunities. A student who graduates under the local LEA graduation requirements may expand their post-secondary opportunities and be eligible to submit applications to the UC or CSU systems. Contact our counseling office to determine eligibility. Students and parents of migratory children shall not request a transfer solely to qualify for this exemption.
The school calendars are included with this annual notification. If minimum or pupil-free staff development days are scheduled after the start of the school year, the school will notify parents and guardians of affected pupils as early as possible, with at least one month advanced notice.
The Geyserville Unified School District is committed to providing a safe school environment where all individuals in education are afforded equal access and opportunities. The District’s academic and other educational support programs, services and activities shall be free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying of any individual based on the person’s actual race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnic group identification, age, religion, marital or parental status, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or gender expression; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Specifically, state law prohibits discrimination on the basis of gender in enrollment, counseling, and the availability of physical education, athletic activities, and sports. Transgender students shall be permitted to participate in gender-segregated school programs and activities (e.g., athletic teams, sports competitions, and field trips) and to use facilities consistent with their gender identity. The District assures that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission or participation in District programs. Complaints of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying are investigated through the Uniform Complaint Process. Such complaints must be filed no later than six months after knowledge of the alleged discrimination was first obtained.
California state law authorizes all school districts to provide alternative schools. Education Code 58500 defines alternative school as a school or separate class group within a school, which is operated in a manner designed to:
In the event any parent, pupil, or teacher is interested in further information concerning alternative schools, the county superintendent of schools, the administrative office of this district, and the principal’s office in each attendance unit have copies of the law available for your information. This law particularly authorizes interested persons to request the governing board of the district to establish alternative school programs in each district.
As a parent, you have a right to participate in open meetings with the school district or charter school. If you require a translator, one will be provided to you with the time allotment doubled to allow for both English and primary language translation.
A record of a dental assessment done by a dental professional is required for all kindergarteners and first graders attending public school for the first time. Dental assessments must be completed in the 12 months prior to entry or by May 31st of the pupil’s first school year.
Parent engagement is encouraged and valued in our school district. We believe that active parental involvement contributes to student success and school accountability. Opportunities are communicated through ParentSquare. If you have suggestions on how we could better communicate these opportunities, please contact us at info@gusd.org.
If the parent’s employer has 25 or more employees, the parent must be allowed to attend school meetings and events for their child(ren), up to a maximum of 40 hours each year without discrimination or fear of job loss. Purposes to attend child-related activities include: enrollment in grades 1-12, to address child care or a school emergency, behavior or discipline concern that requires immediate parent attention, sudden school closure, or natural disaster. (“Parent” means a parent, guardian, stepparent, foster parent, or grandparent of, or a person who stands in.) If an employer discharges, threatens to discharge, demotes, suspends or otherwise discriminates against the parent, the employee may be entitled to reinstatement and reimbursement for lost income or benefits. See Labor Code 230.8 for more details.
Please refer to the district's pesticide policy.
A parent or guardian may file annually with the school principal a written statement, signed by the parent or legal guardian, withholding consent to a physical examination of the pupil. However, whenever there is good reason to believe that the pupil is suffering from a recognized contagious or infectious disease, the pupil shall be sent home and shall not be permitted to return until school authorities are satisfied that the contagious or infectious disease no longer exists.
The governing board of the Geyserville Unified School District will treat both the pregnant teen mother and the teen father with the same accommodations, regardless of sex. Teen parents may not be excluded from any class or extracurricular activities, solely on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or post-partum recovery. Physical and emotional ability to continue may only be determined by physician or nurse practioner. Pregnant or parenting pupils may not be required to participate in pregnant minor programs or alternative programs, with the exception of personal choice.
Parental rights will be an option available in annual notifications or at semester term periods, welcome packets, orientation, online or in print, or in independent study packets as provided to all regular students from school districts or charter schools.
Parental leave for eight weeks for preparation of birth of infant, post-partum for mental and physical health needs of the teen parents and to bond with infants, or any additional medically approved time to protect the infant or parents is allowed. Additional leave may occur if deemed medically necessary, as prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner. Pregnant and parenting teens are not required to take all or part of the leave to which they are entitled. Leave will be approved by the district or charter school supervisor of attendance, as excused absence, with a unique code similar to independent study. However, no work is required during the leave. Upon return, the parenting teens are entitled to return to the school courses that were in enrolled before taking leave. Make up plans and re-enrollment will be worked out with the school counselor or administrator to achieve an opportunity to fully participate in all activities, as before leave. If needed, a parenting teen may enroll for a fifth year of instruction if on course for graduation requirements. If parenting teens were enrolled in an alternative school setting, a return to that environment is to be available as needed to achieve graduation. A pupil shall not incur any academic penalties due to using these available accommodations.
An illness for a sick child does not require a doctor note for the custodial parenting teens.
Parents or guardians may be held financially liable if their child willfully damages school property or fails to return school property loaned to the child. The school may further withhold the grades, diploma, and transcript of the pupil until restitution is paid.
The Geyserville Unified School District believes students should have the knowledge and skills they need to develop healthy attitudes concerning, among other things, body image. As resources and support become available, we will share this information with parents via ParentSquare.
A nonpublic school (NPS) is considered as a school of origin for a student placed in foster care with exceptional needs. If the student is moved to another placement, the student is able to maintain enrollment at the NPS site due to school of origin rights.
Other than the school newspaper and yearbook, the school may gather information in the form of video, photograph, blog, texts, and emails, to maintain school and student safety. All social media information gathered will be destroyed within one year after the student turns 18 years old or one year after the student is no longer enrolled, whichever comes first.
A cumulative record, whether recorded by handwriting, print, tapes, film, microfilm, or other means, must be maintained on the history of a pupil’s development and educational progress. The District will protect the privacy of such records. Parents/guardians have the right to 1) inspect and review the pupil’s educational record maintained by the school, 2) request that a school correct records, which they believe to be inaccurate or misleading, and 3) have some control over the disclosure of information from educational records. School officials with legitimate educational interests may access pupil records without parental consent as long as the official needs to review the records in order to fulfill their professional responsibility. Upon request from officials of another school district in which a pupil seeks or intends to enroll, the District shall disclose educational records without parental consent.
Parents’ request to access their pupil’s educational records must be submitted in a written form to the school principal and the school will have five (5) business days from the day of receipt of the request to provide access to the records. Copies of pupil records are available to parents for a fee of $0.25 per page.
Any challenge to school records must be submitted in writing to the school principal. A parent challenging school records must show that the records are 1) inaccurate, 2) an unsubstantiated personal conclusion or inference, 3) a conclusion or inference outside the observer’s area of competence, 4) not based on the personal observation of a named person with the time and place of the observation noted, 5) misleading, or 6) in violation of the privacy or other rights of the pupil. Parents have the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning an alleged failure by the District to comply with the provisions of the United States Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) by writing to: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.
Our school is committed to the safety of all our students. Although the long-term effects of many synthetic drugs on physical and mental health are not yet known, immediate effects on a student’s education, family, and life could be long-lasting. A synthetic drug is a drug with properties and effects similar to a known hallucinogen or narcotic but with a slightly altered chemical structure created to evade existing restrictions against illegal substances. These drugs may include synthetic cannabinoids, methamphetamines, bath salts, and fentanyl. Illicit fentanyl can be added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive and has been found in heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, cocaine and other drugs. Fentanyl mixed with any drug increases the likelihood of a fatal overdose. Unless tested, it is difficult to tell if drugs have been laced with fentanyl because it cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. Additional information regarding fentanyl is available from the CDPH’s Substance and Addiction Prevention Branch.
| Government Code | Meeting Type |
|---|---|
| GC 54954.2 | Regular Meetings |
| GC 54956 | Special Meetings |
| GC 54956.5 | Emergency Meetings |
| GC 54954.2 | Closed Session Agendas |
| GC 54954.5 | Closed Session Agendas |
| GC 54957.1 | Closed Session Agendas |
| GC 54957.7 | Closed Session Agendas |
| GC 54954.2(b) | Agenda Exception |
Teachers may require the parent or guardian of a student who has been suspended by a teacher to attend a portion of that school day in his or her student’s classroom. The attendance of the parent or guardian will be limited to the class from which the student was suspended. A written notice will be sent to the parent or guardian regarding implementation of this requirement. Employers are not allowed to apply sanctions against the parent or guardian for this requirement, if the parent or guardian has given reasonable notice to his/her employer.
The parents and guardians of pupils enrolled in public schools have the right and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their children within the public schools, to be informed by the school, and to participate in the education of their children, as follows:
The Geyserville Unified School District is committed to maintaining a learning environment that is free from discrimination, harassment, violence, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived characteristics set forth in Section 422.55 of the Penal Code and EC 220, and disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. All school personnel who witness an act of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or bullying must take immediate steps to intervene when safe to do so. Any student who engages in acts of discrimination, harassment, violence, intimidation, or bullying related to school activity or school attendance occurring within a school of the school district may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. To report an incident and/or to receive a copy of the district’s anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, anti-intimidation, and anti-bullying policies.
The district website will have the School Accountability Report Card.
Each Geyserville Unified School District school site has a Comprehensive School Safety Plan, which includes a plan for disaster preparedness, emergency procedures and assessment and response to reports of dangerous, violent, or unlawful activities conducted or threatened to be conducted at school, a school activity or on a school bus. Copies are available to read at each school office. Fire and emergency drills are held periodically at each school.
The Geyserville Unified School District is committed to the prohibition of discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying, including cyberbullying on social media. Annual training will be provided to all staff who work with students to prevent bullying and cyberbullying. You may find a list of education web pages describing the staff training at: https://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/ss/se/bullyres.asp. If you or your child should experience any bullying on campus, at school events, or on the way to or from school, please contact your principal to assist you in identifying and stopping this behavior.
Visitors to our schools must sign in at the school office upon entering the campus for the safety of our staff and students. You will find a sign posting where to sign in at each entrance to our school sites.
School lockers remain the property of the Geyserville Unified School District, even when assigned to students. The lockers are subject to search whenever the District finds a need to do so. The use of the school locker for other than school-related purposes is prohibited. Improper use of school lockers will result in consequences.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination against persons with a disability. The Geyserville Unified School District provides a free and appropriate public education to all pupils, regardless of the nature or severity of their disability. The District has a responsibility to identify, evaluate, and if eligible, provide pupils with disabilities the same opportunity to benefit from education programs, services, or activities as provided to their non-disabled peers. To qualify for Section 504 protections, the pupil must have a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activity. For additional information about the rights of parents of eligible pupils, or questions regarding the identification, evaluation, and eligibility of Section 504 protections.
Our schools provide age-appropriate instruction for students in kindergarten through grade 12 in sexual abuse, sexual assault awareness, sex trafficking, strategies to reduce their risk, techniques to set healthy boundaries, and how to safely report an incident through prevention education. Parents or guardians may submit a written request to excuse their child from participation in any class and assessments related to that education.
The Geyserville Unified School District is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from sexual harassment. Any student who engages in sexual harassment of anyone in or from the district may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including expulsion. Any employee who permits, engages in, or fails to report sexual harassment shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. For more information use the link at the end of this page.
Pupils and their parents or guardians should not be asked to provide their social security numbers or the last four digits of the social security numbers unless required by state or federal law. If a form is requesting that you provide a social security number or the last four digits of the social security number for you and/or your child and it does not specify the state or federal law that requires this information, ask the school administrator for more information before providing it.
Upon exiting the school district, students may continue to use the assistive technology devices provided by the school as determined by the IEP team offer for a maximum of two months until a replacement or comparable device is obtained.
Parents and guardians of students enrolled in public schools have the right and should have the opportunity, as mutually supportive and respectful partners in the education of their children, to be informed in advance about school rules, including disciplinary rules and procedures on attendance policies, dress codes, and procedures for visiting the school.
Student suicide rates are of concern to all members of the school community. One child, ages 12 and older, dies by suicide every five days in California. Local Districts were required by California law to provide suicide prevention education, according to age-appropriate and sensitive local policies, for grades 7 to 12. Legislators have determined that training in mental health and coordination around improved services should be extended to our elementary students. A shared goal by all staff educators is to maintain a safe place to learn, free from harm to any of our students.
A doctor’s note is not required to use sunscreen during the school day. A hat may be worn to protect from the sun outdoors as may other sun-protective clothing, according to the school dress code.
Anonymous, voluntary and confidential research and evaluation tools to measure student’s health behaviors and risks, including tests, questionnaires, and surveys containing age-appropriate questions about the student’s attitudes and practices relating to sex, family life, morality, and religion may be administered to students, if the parent is notified in writing that 1) this test, questionnaire, or survey is to be administered, 2) the student’s parent is given the opportunity to review the test, questionnaire, or survey, and 3) the parent consents in writing. Questions pertaining to the sexual orientation and gender identity of a student shall not be removed from a survey that already includes them.
A pupil shall not be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion, unless the superintendent of the school district or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed an act as defined pursuant to any of subdivisions (a) to (r), inclusive:
In addition to the reasons specified in Section 48900, a pupil may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has committed sexual harassment as defined in Section 212.5.
For the purposes of this chapter, the conduct described in Section 212.5 must be considered by a reasonable person of the same gender as the victim to be sufficiently severe or pervasive to have a negative impact upon the individual's academic performance or to create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment. This section shall not apply to pupils enrolled in kindergarten and grades 1 to 3, inclusive.
In addition to the reasons set forth in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has caused, attempted to cause, threatened to cause, or participated in an act of, hate violence, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 233.
In addition to the grounds specified in Sections 48900 and 48900.2, a pupil enrolled in any of grades 4 to 12, inclusive, may be suspended from school or recommended for expulsion if the superintendent or the principal of the school in which the pupil is enrolled determines that the pupil has intentionally engaged in harassment, threats, or intimidation, directed against school district personnel or pupils, that is sufficiently severe or pervasive to have the actual and reasonably expected effect of materially disrupting classwork, creating substantial disorder, and invading the rights of either school personnel or pupils by creating an intimidating or hostile educational environment.
Suspension, including supervised suspension as described in Section 48911.1, shall be imposed only when other means of correction fail to bring about proper conduct. A school district may document the other means of correction used and place that documentation in the pupil’s record, which may be accessed pursuant to Section 49072. However, a pupil, including an individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Section 56026, may be suspended, subject to Section 1415 of Title 20 of the United States Code, for any of the reasons enumerated in Section 48900 upon a first offense, if the principal or superintendent of schools determines that the pupil violated subdivision (a), (b), (c), (d), or (e) of Section 48900 or that the pupil's presence causes a danger to persons.
Schools shall immediately suspend and recommend expulsion for students that commit any of the following acts at school or at a school activity off school grounds:
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is one of several federal and state anti-discrimination laws that ensure equality in educational programs and activities that receive federal funding. Specifically, Title IX protects male and female pupils and employees, as well as transgender pupils and pupils who do not conform to sex stereotypes, against discrimination based on sex, including sexual harassment. California law also prohibits discrimination based on gender, gender expression, gender identity, and sexual orientation. Under Title IX, pupils may not be discriminated against based on their parental, family, or marital status, and pregnant and parenting pupils may not be excluded from participating in any educational program, including extracurricular activities, for which they qualify. For more information about Title IX, or how to file a complaint of noncompliance with Title IX, contact:
Title IX Coordinator
Superintendent Mark Beebe
1300 Mooney Blvd.
Geyserville, CA 95441
mbeebe@gusd.com
The use of tobacco and nicotine products is prohibited on school or district grounds, buildings, and vehicles, and within 250 feet of a youth sports event. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, little cigars, chewing tobacco, pipe tobacco, snuff, or an electronic device (e.g., electronic cigarette, cigar, pipe, or hookah) that delivers nicotine or other vaporized liquids.
The Uniform Complaint Procedures (UCP) complaint is a written and signed statement by a complainant alleging a violation of federal or state laws or regulations, which may include an allegation of unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, bullying or charging pupil fees for participation in an educational activity or non-compliance. For more information, please refer to the Uniform Complaint Procedures.
A pupil who becomes a victim of a violent crime while in or on the school grounds must be offered the opportunity to transfer to a safe public school within the school district, including a public charter school, within ten calendar days. If there is not another school within the area served by the district, the district is encouraged, but not required, to explore other appropriate options such as an agreement with a neighboring school district to accept pupils through an interdistrict transfer. Primary examples of violent criminal offenses in the Penal Code include attempted murder, battery with serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, rape, sexual battery, robbery, extortion, and hate crimes.
No person under 18 years of age may operate a bicycle, non-motorized scooter, skateboard or wear in-line or roller skates, nor ride as a passenger on a bicycle, non-motorized scooter, or skateboard upon a street, bikeway, or any other public bicycle path or trail unless that person is wearing a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets specified standards.
Every school must provide sufficient textbooks and instructional materials. Every student, including English learners, must have textbooks or instructional materials, or both, to use at home or after school. School facilities must be clean, safe, and maintained in good repair. There should be no teacher vacancies or misassignments. If a school is found to have deficiencies in these areas, and the school does not take corrective action, then a complaint form may be filed. Parents, students, teachers or any member of the public may submit a complaint regarding these issues. However, it is highly encouraged that individuals express their concerns to the school principal before completing the complaint forms to allow the school to respond to these concerns.